Sandman, The: Fables & Reflections - Book VI

HB: "How did you come to name this collection FABLES AND REFLECTIONS?" NG: "Actually, I didn't. What I wanted to call it is ACCOUNTS AND REFLECTIONS, but nobody at DC would let me. My thinking was that the book contained a set of stories about different elements intersecting titled CONVERGENCE, and a set of historical tales titled DISTANT MIRRORS, and 'accounts' would represent both things being totalled up, or coming together; and ancient tales being recounted. But DC felt all that title would do is make readers think of chartered accountancy." - interview with Neil Gaiman in THE SANDMAN COMPANION, by Hy Bender All stories herein were written by Neil Gaiman (Wolfe only wrote the introduction which was added for their publication in book form). Each involves characters telling stories, from a phobic modern playwright to Orpheus himself. Often the entire story is part of a character's reminiscences, such as Lady Joanna's journals. Each (apart from possibly "Fear of Falling") also involves the spirit of a very distinct *place* (Fiddler's Green even makes an appearance). As for the artists - SANDMAN's typical practice was to team up artists with Gaiman for short storylines like these to get used to working together before tackling major story arcs. McManus worked on most issues of A GAME OF YOU (which was published between the CONVERGENCE and DISTANT MIRRORS storylines). Later, Thompson and Locke drew BRIEF LIVES, while Talbot and Buckingham worked on WORLDS' END. "Fear of Falling" (illustrator: Kent Williams) Rather than appearing in SANDMAN proper, this story appeared in VERTIGO PREVIEW #1, which launched DC's VERTIGO imprint in 1993. The narrator's phobia has mushroomed into a more general fear of success, which is driving him to the verge of pulling out of the off-Broadway production of his own play. But in his dreams, he finds himself climbing to meet Morpheus, and telling him the story of how his terrors stem from a childhood nightmare. And as in DREAM COUNTRY, the Prince of Stories can provide revelation, if not always justice or wisdom. For there is a third alternative to awakening from or dying in a falling dream... "Orpheus" (illustrators: Bryan Talbot, Mark Buckingham) Gaiman's plans for SANDMAN SPECIAL #1 were scrapped in favour of providing the background of the Orpheus and Eurydice legend, after learning from bitter experience that many of his readers didn't know who Orpheus (Dream's son) was. The remaining 7 stories (which appeared in SANDMAN proper) aren't grouped by publication order and story arc within the book, but I have taken the liberty of doing so here. The four stories of DISTANT MIRRORS: "Thermidor" (illustrators: Stan Woch, Dick Geordano) replaced the month of July in the calendar of revolutionary France, where Lady Joanna Constantine has accepted a commission to rescue Morpheus' son from Robespierre's tireless attempts to destroy *all* old stories and superstitions. "August" (illustrators: Bryan Talbot, Stan Woch)

Some recent contact with the more 'popular' versions of the graphic story aroused my curiosity and, when I happened on a copy of this series of stories by Neil Gaiman, I decided to take the plunge. I am a fan of Gaiman's novels, so I felt secure in the choice, although I did not quite know what to expect. Comic books, no matter how long and artful, are still a delivery mechanism for what is primarily plot and action. Gaiman, however, has gone several steps beyond this simplistic viewpoint. This is a cross between serious literature and fine design work.Perhaps the title of the book provides some clues to the over-arching themes of these stories. However, there is more at hand than the conflict between reality and fantasy that is to be expected in anything whose main character is the bringer of dreams. In 'Fear of Falling,' a young actor finds his courage in a frightening dream. And in 'Three Septembers and a January,' we are given the tale of Joshua Norton, the Emperor of the United States, who found happiness in the give of insanity. Then it suddenly is July in revolutionary Paris. Thermidor tells the story of a woman bearing the head of Orpheus, due to sing the song that will end one dream and begin another.Next, a book shows a werewolf lost in a dream of love the path to its reality love. In 'August,' a Roman emperor gains the secret of how to hide from his fears. 'Soft Places' finds Marco Polo wandering the desert separated from his caravan. Or perhaps, he is only wandering in his mind. The grand piece of the book is a lengthy retelling of the legend of Orpheus, which provides some explanation for the future wanderings of his disembodied head. In 'Parliament of Rooks,' the arguments of Cain and Abel invade the sleep of a young child. In the final story Haroun al Raschid, the ruler of Baghdad, bargains with the Lord of Dreams for a special kind of eternity.All the stories are linked by theme and variation, as well as the presence of the Sandman. Perhaps, intentionally, the relationships are vague and hard to pin down, using the touch of chaos to enhance the dreamlike quality. Of course, the advantage is to the author, who needs to tell only enough to keep the reader interested. In addition to the drawn illustrations, the book makes excellent use of digital and photographic work to enhance the effect of the stories themselves. The overall design, the product of Dave McKean, is remarkable, enhancing instead of competing with the stories themselves.

I've read 6 Sandman books now, in order, Fables and Reflections being the most recent. It could be my favorite, but they're all so perfect in different ways. I made my mom read "Ramadan", and now she's hooked. I just love that story. I can't stop thinking about it...it's just incredible. Gorgeous. My suggestion: If you're new to Sandman, and aren't exactly sure whether you'll like it, read Fables and Reflections. (Only skip "Song of Orpheus" and "A Parliament of Rooks", which would be a bit confusing without the other issues.) However, if you're new to Sandman and trust Neil Gaiman with all your heart, start with Preludes and Nocturnes and know that it gets better. I really think they're best read in order. "Ramadan" is just pure genius. The collection would be worth its price if only that one story were in it. "Fear of Falling" is another highlight, although no one ever mentions it. Very simple and short, but great. "The Hunt" is cool...well, all of them are! If you already know Sandman, obviously you'll want to buy this volume. If you're new, then don't hesitate.

In my mind, "The Sandman" is the greatest comic book to come along in the past 15 years or so. Neil Gaiman is such a great writer and brings so much into the mix that is Sandman. Of course, it's easy to do this when Sandman is the King Of Dreams, but the way Neil did it was truly magical. "Fables and Reflections" is perhaps my favorite of the Sandman collections because they are all self-contained stories that are all interesing in their own right. All the Sandman issues are great, but you cannot read only one chapter of "Brief Lives" or "Doll's House" to get the whole meaning. Because this collection is so varied, it would be a good place for new readers tom start. The Sandman storylines often jump around in time anyway, after all Dream has been around since the beginning of time and that is a lot of ground to cover! I should start off perhaps by explaining who the Sandman is. The Sandman goes by many names, but his given name is Dream and he is the king of dreams. He is one of the Endless, who are all older than Gods. The rest of the Endless are Destiny, Death, Desire, Despair, Destruction, and Delirium. Each of their names gives you a glimpse of what they are and what they do. Death, Delirium, Despair, and Desire pop up in this volume, as do other familiar charactewrs like Matthew the Raven. What distinguishes "Fables & Reflections" from other Sandman collections is that not only does it not follow a choesive story, but Dream is not directly involved in all the tales told here. Some of the tales are stories being told that involve the Dream King. Some are pieces of long past history involving the Sandman (such as encounters with Mark Twain and Caeser Augustus) and some are even retellings of old myths like Orpheus' Song. All of these stories are bound together by soemthing that every person does: dream. Gaiman tries to make sense of dreams and of Dream. Although Dream is as old as the hills, he can be quite human at times. Neil Gaiman's writing is just phenomonal. Who else would think to reference Joshua Norton, emperor of the United States? He also has great one-liners that often are given by Delirium and Matthew the Raven. If you like to read, I suggest reading Sandman. This is best comic book out there. Nothing is like it. It's an experience unto itself.

I used to read a lot of comics, but by far, the Sandman series is my all time favorite. I bought Fables and Reflections mostly because of one very entertaining story, that of the first and last Emporer of America. Certainly, that is not the only reason I would recomend reading this, the entire collection of stories, even the entire Sandman series is well worth your time . If you enjoy fantasy, history, comic books, Myth, etc. you should read this as soon as possible